Whether you are a computer user interested in a mouse
alternative, a department safety coordinator in need of
training or a staff member looking for a more healthful
lifestyle, you'll be able to find what you are seeking at
Work Smart, Safe, Well: Cal Health & Safety Fair '98,
Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This first-ever campuswide event for faculty and staff
will be headquartered in Pauley Ballroom on the third floor
of the Martin Luther King Student Union and Upper Sproul
Plaza, with additional activities taking place on the fourth
and fifth floors of the student union.

"Both the campus and community have embraced this event
whole-heartedly," says Trish Ratto, manager of
Health*Matters, which is coordinating the fair.

About 80 campus departments and community vendors will
have booths. The event offer screenings, demonstrations and
activities on subjects such as ergonomics, workplace safety
and personal health, earthquake preparedness, crime
prevention, personal security, laboratory safety, work/life
issues and stress management.

The agenda also includes workshops throughout the day, a
video festival, free mini-massages, health screenings, flu
shots for $10 and the opportunity to win a drawing for an
ergonomic chair and other prizes.

"I think I speak for all of the sponsors when I say we're
excited about this," says Mark Freiberg, manager of health
and safety in Environment, Health & Safety, which is
sponsoring the fair along with University Health Services
and the UC Police Department. "The campus is committed to
the well-being of its employees, and there are a number of
specific programs related to health and safety. The
importance of this fair is making these resources known to
faculty and staff."

Work Smart, Safe, Well: Cal Health & Safety Fair '98
combines several fairs and educational activities from the
past. As an example of how these events can be helpful,
David Hernes, health and safety coordinator for the
Department of Mathematics, tells of his department's
experience at last year's Ergonomics Fair. "I had been
hearing complaints about minor aches and pains I thought
might be related to the aging chairs the faculty were
using," Hernes says. He convinced half a dozen faculty
members to attend the fair and try out new furniture.
Following the fair, all six professors acquired ergonomic
chairs similar to those they tried -- as did 13 other people
in the department.

Chancellor Berdahl has granted two hours of staff release
time for Cal Health & Safety Fair '98. Berdahl, who
earlier this month sent out a letter encouraging faculty and
staff to attend the event, will make his own appearance
shortly before noon.

For complete information, including detailed descriptions
of activities, prizes, workshop schedules and campus and
community participants, see uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff or
refer to the flyer that was mailed along with the
Chancellor's letter to all faculty and staff.